FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against South Africa after the team fielded midfielder Teboho Mokoena in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho in March, despite him being ineligible to play.
According to SABC Sport, FIFA has formally charged both Mokoena and the South African Football Association for breaching multiple disciplinary regulations.
Mokoena, 28, had received yellow cards in earlier qualifiers against Benin in November 2023 and Zimbabwe in June 2024, triggering a one-match suspension under FIFA rules.
If found guilty, South Africa could be forced to forfeit the match, giving Lesotho a 3–0 victory on paper. Additional sanctions such as fines or suspensions may also be imposed.
The potential deduction would reduce South Africa’s 17-point lead in Group C, bringing them level with the Benin Republic on 14 points and narrowing the gap to Nigeria to just three points with two matches remaining.
Lesotho’s total would rise from six to nine points but they would remain fifth in the group, two points behind both Nigeria and Rwanda.
FIFA has recently imposed similar sanctions on Equatorial Guinea for fielding an ineligible player, Emilio Nsue, during the qualifiers, a decision that was later upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sports.
South Africa will face Zimbabwe and Rwanda in their final two qualifiers in October, while Nigeria meets Lesotho away and the Benin Republic at home, with hopes that South Africa may falter in either fixture to keep the race for qualification open.
The case has been referred to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, with six days given to submit a response. Both the player and the association face charges of breaching several disciplinary regulations, including the fielding of an ineligible player.
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the World Cup qualifiers, potentially altering the standings in Group C and affecting the chances of several teams.
